The fastest way to invite someone to your non-dedicated server

To invite a friend to your non-dedicated ARK: Survival Evolved server, you need their Steam ID, then add them through the server settings in-game. Non-dedicated servers run on your own machine and can hold up to four players total (including you). The person you invite connects directly to your computer, so your game must be running and you must be in the server for them to join.

The process takes about five minutes once you have your friend's Steam ID. You do not need to restart the server or change any files — the invitation happens through the game's user interface.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-dedicated servers hold a maximum of four players including yourself, so you can invite at most three friends.
  • You need your friend's Steam ID (a long number visible on their Steam profile), not their username.
  • Your game must be running and you must be logged into the server for invited players to connect.
  • Invitations are permanent until you remove the player, so they can rejoin anytime without a new invite.
  • If your computer shuts down or you quit the game, the server closes and no one can play until you restart it.

Finding your friend's Steam ID

Your friend's Steam ID is a unique number that identifies them on Steam. To find it, they should open Steam, click their profile name in the top right, select "Profile", then look for the number in the URL of the page — it appears after profiles/ and is usually 17 digits long. They can also right-click their name in your Steam friends list and select "View Profile", then copy the ID from the address bar.

Some players use a custom URL instead of a number (like steamcommunity.com/id/username). If your friend has this, you will need to convert it to the numeric ID. The easiest way is to visit steamid.io, paste their profile URL or custom name, and it will show you the numeric ID to use.

Adding players through server settings

Start your non-dedicated server and join it yourself. Once you are in the game world, press Pause, then look for "Server Settings" or "Admin Panel" (the exact name depends on your ARK version). Open that menu and find the section for "Players" or "Whitelist" — this is where you manage who can join.

Select "Add Player" or a similar option, then paste or type your friend's numeric Steam ID. Confirm the addition. The game will save this change when ready. Your friend can now join your server anytime your game is running and you are logged in — they do not need a new invitation each time.

How your friend connects to your server

Once you have added them, your friend opens ARK, goes to "Join ARK", then selects "Non-Dedicated Session" or "Local Network". They should see your server listed if you are currently playing on it. They click your server name and join. If they do not see it listed, they can also search for your character name or manually enter your computer's IP address (which you can find by searching "what is my IP" in a web browser while on the same network).

If your friend is joining from outside your home network, they will need your public IP address instead, and you may need to adjust your router settings to allow the connection. This is more complex and depends on your router model — if you run into trouble, ARK's official forums have guides for remote connections.

Removing a player from your server

If you need to remove someone, go back to Server Settings and find the Players or Whitelist section. Select the player's name and choose "Remove" or "Delete". They will no longer be able to join. This does not erase their character from the server — if you add them back later, their character and items will still be there.

You can also ban a player entirely, which prevents them from joining even if you add their Steam ID again. This option is usually next to the Remove button and is useful if someone is causing problems.

What happens when you are not playing

Your non-dedicated server only exists while your game is running. If you close ARK or shut down your computer, the server closes when ready and no one can play — not even if they try to join. Your friend will see a "connection failed" message. All player characters, structures, and items remain saved on your computer and will be there when you start the server again.

This is different from rented dedicated servers, which run 24/7 whether you are playing or not. If you want your friends to play while you are offline, you would need to rent a dedicated server from a hosting company, which costs money but lets the world stay open all the time.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If your friend cannot see your server in the list, make sure you are both on the same network (same WiFi or ethernet connection). Restart ARK on both machines and try again. If you are trying to connect from different networks, confirm you have given them your correct public IP address — this changes sometimes, so check it again if they could not connect yesterday.

If your friend joins but when ready gets disconnected, your internet connection may be unstable or your computer may not have enough resources to run the game and host the server at the same time. Try closing other programs, restarting your router, or lowering your game's graphics settings. If disconnections keep happening, a rented dedicated server will be more stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I invite more than three friends to my non-dedicated server?

No. Non-dedicated servers have a hard limit of four players total, including you. You can invite at most three other people. If you want to play with more friends, you need to rent a dedicated server from a hosting company.

Do I need to restart the server after adding someone?

No. The invitation takes effect when ready. Your friend can join the next time they look for your server, as long as your game is running.

What if I do not know my friend's Steam ID?

Ask them to send you their Steam profile link, or look them up in your Steam friends list, right-click their name, and select "View Profile". The numeric ID is in the URL. You can also use steamid.io to convert their custom profile name to a numeric ID.

Will my friend's character stay on the server if I remove them?

Yes. Removing a player only prevents them from joining — their character, items, and structures remain saved. If you add them back, everything will be there.

Can my friend play if I am not online?

No. Your non-dedicated server only runs while you are playing. When you close the game, the server closes and no one can connect. They will have to wait until you start playing again.